Il vivaio Patrucco a Diano San Pietro

Pontedassio, antichi frantoi della ditta Isnardi

Gastronomia tipica ligure

On the Riviera of the flowers there is a veritable paradise of spectacular views just waiting for you. Here each glance falls upon an environment rich in tradition where colours, perfume and taste intermingle harmoniously.

Discover the colour and seductive perfume of the Riviera: the true and authentic, tasty and sweet smelling paths, which will allow you to fully appreciate our Riviera. Olive groves, vineyards, gardens in bloom, hilltop villages and small oil presses, a succession of panoramas, which at any time of the year, and in all types of weather, have the feel of great works of art.

At dawn’s first gleam, and with the softness of twilight, the Cypresses are brushstrokes which distinguish the horizon.

Just waiting for you is a succession of exciting attractions all to be found in one unforgettable journey.

A journey through the most suggestive spots on the Riviera which will enchant you thanks to their beauty, colour and perfume. Let yourself be transported through the perfume of the flowers and on to the flavour and taste of the wine and the olive oil.

1st Day

Arrival in late afternoon in Sanremo, check into your 3 or 4 star hotel. Dinner in the hotel restaurant.

For a memorable after dinner experience why not try your luck at the gaming tables of the historic Casinò Municipale.

Overnight stay.

2nd Day: The Enchanting Valley

A day on which you will discover the dramatic panoramas of the hinterland of the Riviera and the marvelous exotics of the largest Botanic Garden in Europe.

After breakfast you will transfer to Dolceacqua in Valle Nervia, from where you will set out for the home territory of the Doria family, the “Doges” of the Maritime Republic of Genoa, known in Italy as “La Superba”. This excursion winds it’s way through Dolceacqua, Isolabona, Apricale and Perinaldo where you will discover a strong and exuberant environment, a land of olives, of vineyards and of fascinating medieval villages which have managed to conserve and protect their ancient traditions.

Lunch will be taken in the celler of the Gajaudo Family, where you will be able to taste the entire list of wines from the “Riviera di Ponente”, accompanied by the tasty delicacies of the valley.

In the afternoon your journey will take you on to the Hanbury Gardens which are to be found at La Mortola. This is an exotic paradise of 18 hectares which was created in 1867 by Sir Thomas Hanbury. Here Hanbury transplanted species from all over the world, the veritable “fruits” of his innumerable journeys. In every season this garden revels in the splendour of it’s avenues, pergolas, hothouses, terraces and wells. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

3rd Day: The Flowers and the Fragrances of Liguria

A day which will give you an insight to the fascinating worlds of flowers and oils, the backbone of our economy.

After breakfast you will transfer to Diano San Pietro for a visit to the Patrucco Nursery. This family has a long tradition of hybridization. They invented the reknowned pink rose “Dallas” and for many years have been official suppliers to the “Holy See”. Every Christmas the roses of the Patrucco family are used to decorate the altar of Saint Peters and the stage used in the famous concert.

At the end of the visit you will move on to Pontedassio to visit the olive oil producers Pietro Isnardi Alimentare where, between November and March, you can taste the new season olive oil, as well as some of the local dishes from Imperia.

In the afternoon there is the opportunity to visit a 17th century oil press which has recently been renovated. Here you will be able to see for yourself how oil was produced in past times. The visit this modern oil press has another surprise in store for you, Oleum Mundum, an ancient method of processing olives. This early method of extracting the stone allowed the producer to concentrate only on the skin of the olive. In this way the quality of the oil was augmented, the acidity was decreased and they were able to produce an oil with an intense, fresh aroma and with a full and firm flavour.

Return to hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

4th Day: The Cuisine of Ponente

A fascinating day which will, first of all, introduce you to the basic ingredient of Ligurian cooking, extra virgin olive oil, and then teach you how to prepare some of our signature dishes.

In the morning you will visit the “Museo dell’Olivo”, (closed on Sundays) with the adjoining modern production facility and adjacent shop of the “Fratelli Carli di Imperia” company. The museum was named, “European museum of the year” in 1993 by the council of Europe, and it it situated in the heart of the ancient oil port of Oneglia, which has been an oil port for millennia.

After the visit you will continue your journey to Porto Maurizio, with its typical ancient centre, perched on the rocks of the promontory named Parasio, with its Dom Square, which the “Palazzo del Collegio” and the “Palazzo della Questura” look over. You can’t miss to visit the “Logge di Santa Chiara”, with the next Convent named the same, founded in 1365, which the seclusion nons Clarisse nowadays still live in.

Return to your hotel for lunch and rest.

In the mid-afternoon you will attend an interesting ligurian cuisine course, organised in cooperation with the Hotellery Institut “E. Ruffini” of Arma di Taggia.

The course will offer you the possibility to discover a wide range of typical dishes of the local culinary tradition. Among the dishes, explaned and prepared by Chefs, you will find the “panissa”, a kind of “polenta” made with chick-peas flour, the “BarbaJuai”, fritters with pumpkin and fresh cheese filling, and last, to switch to sweet cookery masterpieces, the “stroscia”, a cake made of olive oil extravergine, wine, flour and sugar. At the end of the course, you will be offered a dinner, so that you can taste the just prepared dishes.

Return to your hotel, overnight stay.

5th day: departure after breakfast.